Page 62 - Heart Transplant Protocol

Heart Function Service: Heart Transplant Protocols

Immunization Letter for Providers

Dear Primary Care Provider,

This letter is to help address some common immunization questions as they related to heart transplant
patients here at Children’s Health.

Please be aware that all immunizations should not be given within the first 6 months after transplant
except influenza vaccine which should be given after 2 months from transplant. After that time, they
may have the standard vaccine schedule but should NEVER receive live virus vaccines.

We recommend that the Flu Vaccine is given yearly to all Transplant Patients and their household
contacts. FluMist should never be given to a Transplant Patient, however, may be given to household
contacts. If the patient does not qualify for the influenza vaccine based on the CDC recommendations,
we highly encourage household contacts to receive the vaccination to aid in protection for the
immunocompromised infant.

During RSV season we highly encourage all of our patients who qualify, to receive Synagis.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/134/2/415.full.pdf

Below is a reference on which vaccines can and cannot be given to our patients.

DO NOT GIVE THESE VACCINES MAY GIVE THESE VACCINES
Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR) Tetanus
Polio (oral) Diptheria, Pertussis, Tetanus (DPT)
Varicella (Chickenpox) Polio (injectable)
Yellow Fever Haemophilus influenza B (HIB)
Typhoid (oral) Hepatitis B (Hep B-series of three)
BCG Hepatitis A
Rotavirus Pneumococcal
Meningococcal
FluMist Influenza vaccine yearly (injectable)
Typhoid (injectable)
HPV

Please refer to the following link from CDC to determine the proper immunizations for age and also to
give catch up immunizations as needed. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/child-
adolescent.html

Thank you for your commitment in helping us care for our patients. If you have any questions or
concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our team at Children’s Health in Dallas.

Sincerely,

The Heart Transplant Team at Children’s Health Dallas

Updated November 9, 2017 62